The University of Iowa

Basic University Classroom Guide

The Learning Spaces Technology [LST] group provides consulting, design, installation, training, management and support for 300+ technology-equipped University Classrooms [UCRs] across campus and classrooms assigned to departments.

Classroom Updates

Beginning Fall semester of 2020, all UCRs will have webcams and microphones for use with UICapture software for lecture capture and podcasting, and Zoom software for synchronous classroom delivery:
•  Camera - Huddly Go, web conferencing camera, 150-degree wide-angle lens, USB HD webcam on flexible arm mount
•  Microphone - MXL AC-404 USB conferencing boundary mic

Beginning Fall semester of 2021, all UCRs will have Solstice Pods for in-classroom wireless content sharing, and Zoom-compatible document cameras:
•  Wireless Presentation Device - Mersive Solstice Pod with unlimited connections
•  Document Camera - WolfVision vSolutions Cam document camera [or original document camera]

Need Help? Contact ITS Help Desk

Phone: 319-384-4357 [HELP]

Email: its-helpdesk@uiowa.edu

 

University Classroom Technology Guide

Getting Started with University Classroom Technology

 

Using A/V Control Panel

  1. To start A/V system, press lectern's Control Panel Interface ON button
  2. Select source desired [by default the A/V system will use PC, the room’s computer]
  3. Remember to press OFF button when finished

If you encounter an unresponsive control panel, check A/V system is not muted and/or report to ITS Help Desk if A/V system remains unresponsive

Using Single Monitor-Single Screen Media Lectern

Most typical University Classrooms are equipped with a single lectern computer monitor and single projector/screen [select learning spaces are equipped with Single Monitor-Multiple Screen Media Lecterns, or Dual Monitor-Dual Screen Media Lecterns].

  1. When pressing A/V Control Panel Interface's ON button, A/V system will by default use PC [lectern computer's monitor] as its source/input
  2. To view or project an alternate source, such as SOLSTICE, DOC CAM, HDMI, or BLU-RAY, select source/input accordingly on A/V Control Panel Interface

If you encounter an unresponsive projector:

See Single Monitor-Single Screen documentation for additional information.

Using Lectern Computer

  1. Press Space Bar on computer keyboard to wake main display
  2. Log on with HawkID & password & remember to log off when finished

If you cannot access computer’s login menu, check the A/V system is not muted, check computer monitor is powered ON, make certain HDMI/Display Port cable is connected on back of monitor, restart computer, and/or contact ITS Help Desk

Using Computer/Web-conferencing USB Microphones

  • Computer/Web-conferencing USB microphones are typically mounted on media lecterns and connected to computer monitor USB hubs
  • USB microphones may be moved within available length of USB cable

If you encounter non-working Computer/Web-conferencing USB microphones:

    • select Microphone (USB audio CODEC) as audio input device in Zoom, Panopto, or Skype
    • unplug/re-plug the USB cable on back of USB microphone
    • make sure USB cable is firmly connected, or contact ITS Help Desk if correct audio input device is not available

Using Wireless Microphones

This learning space may also be equipped with a Wireless Microphone, either a lavaliere and/or handheld microphone.

If you encounter non-working wireless microphone:

    • check microphone info display for power and/or muting
    • check microphone display info for potential battery replacement; rechargeable batteries are typically located on battery charger, alkaline batteries are typically located within microphone drawer
      • if using rechargeable battery supplies, remember to replace depleted batteries on charger
      • if nearing end of battery supplies, contact ITS Help Desk for resupply
    • select ATR2USB as audio input/source device in lectern computer's Zoom, Panopto, or Skype for Business apps
    • if correct audio input device is not available for lectern computer's apps, contact ITS Help Desk

See Capturing Computer Video and Audio documentation for additional information.

Using Computer/Web-conferencing USB Camera

  • Computer/Web-conferencing USB Cameras are typically mounted on media lecterns and connected to computer monitor USB hubs
  • Camera on flexible mount may be re-positioned as needed

If you encounter non-working Computer/Web-conferencing USB Cameras:

    • select Huddly GO as camera input/source in lectern computer's Zoom, Panopto, or Skype for Business apps
    • make sure USB cable is firmly connected
    • unplug/re-plug the USB cable on back of Huddly Go camera
    • if correct camera input device is not available for lectern computer's apps, contact ITS Help Desk

See Capturing Computer Video and Audio documentation for additional information.

Room Audio

  • A/V control panels contain a volume knob, or touchscreen volume buttons; turn knob to right [press volume up arrow] to increase volume, turn knob to left [press down arrow] to decrease volume
  • Press PIC MUTE [or VIDEO MUTE] button[s] on A/V Control Panel Interface to control audio [and screen] muting

If you cannot produce in-room audio with the A/V system on and un-muted:

    • ensure computer/device, app, or website audio is not muted
    • increase computer/device audio level, or increase A/V control panel audio level
    • select ExtronScalerD (Intel(R) Display Audio) or Extron HDMI(Intel(R) Display Audio) as speaker or audio playback source in Zoom, Panopto, or Skype
    • check computer/device audio settings: select ExtronScalerD (Intel(R) Display Audio) or Extron HDMI(Intel(R) Display Audio) as audio output device or playback source
    • contact ITS Help Desk if issue persists

Connecting Laptop/Tablet via HDMI

  1. To display/project HDMI capable personal device, connect provided HDMI-cable on media lectern to personal device's HDMI-port [laptops/tablets or HDMI adapters are provided by user or department]
  2. Select HDMI as display input/source on A/V Control Panel Interface

If you cannot produce in-room video and/or audio through HDMI with the A/V system on and un-muted, and HDMI selected

    • increase A/V control panel audio level
    • toggle PIC MUTE [or VIDEO MUTE] button[s] on A/V Control Panel Interface
    • not all HDMI adapters work well with every device and the Extron A/V system; testing HDMI connection ahead of time is recommended
    • restart A/V system by pressing control panel OFF button, wait a few minutes, then press ON again, or report to ITS Help Desk

Note: not all HDMI-adapters may work well with every device and Extron A/V system; testing HDMI Personal Device Connection prior to intended use is highly recommended

See HDMI Personal Device Connection documentation for additional information. To connect a personal device to campus wireless network see UI Wireless eduroam Network documentation for additional information.

Using Blu-Ray Media Player

  1. Select BLU-RAY as display input/source on A/V Control Panel Interface
  2. Press EJECT or Open/Close button on Blu-Ray Media Player disc tray [typically mounted in A/V rack], or A/V Control Panel Interface, to load BD or DVD
  3. Blu-Ray Media Player may be controlled with A/V Control Panel Interface or by remote control, typically available near Blu-Ray Media Player or in A/V rack drawer

If you cannot produce in-room video and/or audio from Blu-Ray Media Player with the A/V system on and un-muted, and BLU-RAY selected:

    • increase A/V Control Panel Interface audio level
    • toggle PIC MUTE [or VIDEO MUTE] button[s] on A/V Control Panel Interface, or toggle MUTE button on Blu-Ray remote control [if available]
    • restart A/V system by pressing control panel OFF button, wait a few minutes, then press ON again, or report to ITS Help Desk
    • if disc is a DVD, you may alternatively attempt to play it through the lectern computer's DVD drive

See Blu-Ray Media Player documentation for additional information.

Using Document Camera

  1. Select DOC CAM as display input/source on A/V Control Panel Interface
  2. Document camera may not auto power on; if unresponsive, press power button ON

If Document Camera cannot be projected with the A/V system on and un-muted, and DOC CAM selected on A/V Control Panel Interface:

    • press power button on document camera to turn on; if unresponsive, check document camera has power and output cables connected
    • check document camera has HDMI cable connected to OUTPUT [for use with Zoom, or UICapture/Panopto, document camera must also have a USB cable connection]
    • toggle PIC MUTE [or VIDEO MUTE] button[s] on A/V Control Panel Interface
    • restart A/V system by pressing control panel OFF button, wait a few minutes, then press ON again
    • contact ITS Help Desk, if document camera remains unresponsive

See Document Camera documentation for additional information; see Document Camera & Zoom Guide for information on Document Camera & Zoom Capture.

Using Solstice

This learning space is equipped with Solstice wireless collaboration and content sharing platform.

  1. Select SOLSTICE as source on A/V Control Panel Interface

If Solstice cannot be projected with the A/V system on and un-muted, and SOLSTICE selected on A/V Control Panel Interface:

    • Solstice may require a power-cycling; report to ITS Help Desk

See Solstice documentation for additional information.

Classroom Guides

Visit the COVID-19: Classroom Experience site for additional information regarding University Classroom expectations for the 2021 Fall semester.

For information regarding the COVID-19 Operational Response for Custodial Services, Building Operations and Maintenance and/or the UI Operational Plan for Cleaning and Disinfecting of Building Spaces, please visit the Facilities Management.

For assistance with classroom technology issues, please contact the ITS Help Desk at 384-HELP [4357] or its-helpdesk@uiowa.edu

University Classroom Support